Mutoscope



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

H. GASLER.

MUTOSOOPE.

No. 549,309. Patented Nov. 5, 1895.

INVENTOR Jim-man aisle)- WITNESSES:

776W BY 6. ,MY M

ATTORNEYS;

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheeti 2.

H. CASLBR. MUTOSGOPE.

N0.549,309. P atentedNov. 5,1 895.

INVENTOR J-[erman a; .3 [er ATTORN EYS.

(No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3. H. GASLER MUTOSOOPE.

No. 549,309. I Patented Nov. 5,1895.

EL c 17 INVENTOR' Jrman [z ale/ WITNESSES: I (W04. 7% 776 W BY ATTORNEYS.

UNITED, STATES PATENT .OFFICE.

HERMAN CASLER, OF SYRACUSE, NEIV YORK.

MUTOS'COPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 549,309, dated November 5, 1895. Application filed November 21, 1894. Serial No. 529,482. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HERMAN CASLER, of Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Mutoscopes, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to what I choose to call mutoscopes or devices for showing the changing positions of a body or bodies in action.

. My object is to produce a device for exhibiting pictures, photographs, or similar likenesses so arranged that by successively bringing them into the line of vision they will show the changing positions of the body or bodies and reproduce to the eye the acts of the performers; and to that end my invention consists, first, in arranging the pictures, which have been specially taken very rapidly so as to catch each new and changing position of the body, in succession; second, in providing means for successively and rapidly exposing them to the line of vision, and in the several other new and novel features and combina tion of parts hereinafter described, and which are specifically set forth in the claims hereunto annexed.

It is constructed as follows, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an isometrical elevation of the mutoscope complete, showing it ready for operation. Fig. 2 is a side view thereof with the side of the case removed and edge view of the pictures and operative mechanism. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section through the center of Fig. 2. Fig. 4; is a transverse vertical section just to one side of the arbor, showing the arbor and a modified form of arranging and securing the pictures thereon. Fig. 5 shows face views of the several cards upon which are printed photographs of various positions of an arm for illustration. Fig. 6 is a crosssection on line aw in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a modified form showing the pictures arranged upon a spiral spool. Fig. 8 is an end view thereof from the end upon which the worm is located. Fig. 9 is a transverse vertical section through the center of the view shown in Fig. 8.

Similar letters of reference show corresponding parts.

A is the case, constructed preferably rectangular, although I do not limit myself to any precise form or design of case, as it will be evident that it may be constructed in any fanciful form desired, and is provided with a transverse arbor a, suitably mounted, upon which is placed a spool 12, having its inner lateral flanges dovetailed for the purpose of receiving and retaining cards a of elastic materialsuch as stiff paper, celluloid, metal, &c.to fit and be retained therein and upon which are arranged in regular order a series of pictures showing the successive positions of a moving object.

o is the worm-gear, secured upon the outer end of the spool. Upon the arbor dis a worm mounted longitudinally within the case A and adapted to engage with the worm-gear c for the purpose of rotating it, the Worm d being provided with a crank-arm d, by which it is operated for the purpose of rotating the spool upon which the pictures are mounted, so as to successively bring them into the line of vision. Inasmuch, however, as the pictures are mounted radially upon the spool it is necessary to mount a pin 6 transversely within the case, so as to engage with the upper forward end of the card for the purpose of holding them back, so as to break their radial position and present their face to a substantially vertical view and at the same time impart a springing or quick movement to each of the cards as they are successively released, so that by successively and exceedingly rapidly exposing the cards to view produces all the appearance of the body or bodies in action, owing to the fact that the pictures have heretofore been taken rapidly enough to catch each successive movement and change of position of the body.

In Fig. 3 I show small bosses 6 upon the lower ends of the cards, staggering bosses upon the adjacent cards, so as to slightly separate near the arbor each of the cards. For the purpose also of imparting greater elasticity to the bent card, I may provide the cards with lateral openings f, and round the lower edge, so that when they are mounted upon the arbor or sleeve upon the arbor they will assume a slightly-curved position, as

shown in Fig. 4, they being held in position by flanged washers g, the inner flanges adapted to engage with the lateral opening f. It will be observed that, as these cards upon which the pictures are printed are of elastic material, when they are held at one end upon the arbor firmly and the opposite end held back as the arbor is rotated, they will produce a quick springy motion to produce the desired effect.

In Figs. '7, 8, and 9 of the drawings I show a somewhat modified form of construction by so adapting the spool that a larger number of cards may be placed thereon without i11- creasing the periphery of said spool, constructing the spool spirally, as shown in the drawings, and removing the lower right and left hand corner of each successive adjacent card, so as to allow the lower end of the two successive cards to lie substantially in the same plane, the spiral flanges 2' upon the spool having inwardly-extending rims to engage with the lateral openings upon the cards.

k is a bracket mounted in a suitable trackway within the case and adapted to travel transversely within the case, so as to engage with the upper ends of the cards arranged spirally upon the spool. This bracket is adapted to travel transversely by means of its rearward end or pin upon its rearward end engaging with a screw mounted transversely within the case, which in turn is rotated by an ordinary worm-gear at one end engaging with a worm upon the operating-shaft.

It will be observed that when the arbor is rotated the cards will successively be brought to view and the bracket 75 will travel along upon the screw 1 until it travels clear across or until the cards have all been exposed. Should, however, at any time, the operator desire to repeat or go back to review any of the pictures which have been exhibited or when the bracket has reached the opposite side of the case, the cover may be raised, the pin upon the rear end of the bracket thrown out of engagement with the screw and returned to the opposite side, ready to begin a repetition of the work just described.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

1. In a mutoscope a picture card having its lower end convex for the purpose of causing the lower portion to assume a concavo-convex position in cross section when mounted.

2. In a mutoscope, an arbor having cards of pictures arranged radially thereon, said cards having openings in their edges and their lower end convex, flanged washers secured upon said arbor, the flanges adapted to engage with the openings or recesses in the edges of the cards and means for rotating said arbor.

3. I11 a mutoscope, an arbor having picture cards arranged radially thereon, means for holding the outer ends rearwardly in position during a portion of the revolution for the purpose of exposing the picture to view, a worm-gear secured to said arbor and a worm adapted to rotate said gear and arbor.

4. In a mutoscope, an arbor having picture cards arranged radially thereon. and upon a spiral spool, and means for holding the upper ends rearwardly for the purpose of exposing the picture to View, a worm-gear secured to said arbor and a worm adapted to rotate said gear and arbor.

5. In a mutoscope, an arbor having picture cards arranged radially thereon and upon a spiral spool, a bracket adapted to travel longitudinally with said spool, as set forth.

6. A mutoscope, an arbor having a spiral spool mounted thereon, cards arranged radially thereon, said cards having the adjacent right and left hand corners removed so as to allow their base ends to lie in the same plane, and a bracket adapted to travel longitudinally with said spool for the purpose of holding the upper ends of the cards back so as to give them a quick snapping movement, a worm-gear secured to said arbor and a worm adapted to rotate said gear, arbor and spool, as set forth.

7. In a mutoscope, an arbor having elastic picture cards arranged radially thereon and rigidly attached thereto and means for holding the outer edges of the cards rearwardly under tension during a portion of the revolution.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand on this 17th day of November, 1894.

HERMAN CASLER.

In presence of Jnssrn E. MURRAY, HOWARD P. DENISON. 

